But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31(NIV)

On Wings Of Eagles

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Expectations for Valentine’s Day

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast;
it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not
irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with
the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things.

There are a lot of expectations for Valentine’s Day.
Someone, probably a Hallmark employee, decided that February 14th would be the
day to declare and demonstrate your love to that special someone. Cards,
flowers, and chocolates caught on quickly and became a near requirement even
for preschool children. But what gets lost in finding the perfect card or gift
is the very essence of what love is and how we can best share that with those
around us.

I Corinthians 13 is the famous biblical love chapter in
Christian circles and beyond. It’s beautiful because it describes the kind of
perfect love that God has for us and through him we are able to love our
spouses, children, extended family, co-workers, and neighbors this same way.
It’s an active love; a love that is more committed to that person than our own
feelings at the time. Gift giving isn’t even mentioned because this love, God’s
perfect love, is worth so much more than anything money could ever buy.

Sometimes a gift is a hit and sometimes it’s a miss. In
any case, as either the giver or recipient, let’s not fool ourselves into
thinking the gift is the sum of how much we love or are loved. We can enjoy
Valentine’s Day as a good excuse to spoil the ones we love and share God’s love
in a special way with those who are lonely and hurting. But let’s stay focused:
no material thing or sentimental card can ever replace the simple gestures of
God’s love expressed every day.

Dear Lord,we ask
that You would show us practical ways to demonstrate Your perfect love to
others on a daily basis. In the Name of
Jesus, Amen.